Battlefield 1 and Battlefield 5 are the latest installments to EA and DICE's Battlefield franchise. Set respectively during World War 1 and World War 2, Battlefield 1 and 5 give different atmospheres that set the bar high, almost as if you're deserted in the middle of a fast-paced global war.

Related: The Best Battlefield Games & The Worst, According To Metacritic

Of course, concluding which game is better than the other is a matter of personal preference. However, we'll do our best to rank them with logical facts and come up with a final conclusion later in this list.

Updated on June 15, 2022 by Ritwik Mitra: The Battlefield series is known for housing some of the best multiplayer FPS titles of all time. Each entry in the Battlefield series has been wildly popular regardless of its quality, with post-launch updates and fixes being enough to convince fans that the latest Battlefield title is the best one by a country mile. Two of the franchise's better entries, Battlefield 1 and Battlefield 5, have been compared by the fanbase since time eternal. Here's an in-depth look at what makes each game tick and why this might make it better than the other.

18 Battlefield 5 Had A Grander Scope

Battlefield V: The War Torn Streets Of Multiplayer With RTX Enabled

Battlefield 5 is a game that took some liberties with its source material. This allowed it to not be restricted by the boundaries present in the bounds of World War history, and helped it become a grand and spectacular title.

The sheer number of amazing maps and bombastic campaigns that the player can get through is amazing. Battlefield 1's historical accuracy might be good and all, but this forces the game into certain restrictions that its sequel was completely free from.

17 Battlefield 1 Has Better Maps

Battlefield 1 Argonne Forest

That being said, grander maps don't necessarily mean better ones. Battlefield 5's scope should be praised, but there's just something charming and rustic about the maps in Battlefield 1.

Engaging in a carnival of destruction on any map is highly entertaining and one of the biggest reasons why players love this game to death. The maps of Battlefield 1 are in a class of their own, and are yet to be trumped by any of its successors.

16 Battlefield 5's Destruction Mechanics Are Great

Battlefield V First Person View Screenshot
Battlefield V First Person View Screenshot

Given the more modern roots of Battlefield 5, it's easy to understand why its destruction mechanics are superior to any other title. This is one of the biggest draws of the Battlefield series that absolutely shines in Battlefield 5.

Watching massive structures and buildings topple down after enough damage is a sight that never ceases to be entertaining. Battlefield 5 might have its fair share of haters, but even these people absolutely love the adrenaline rush of watching these destruction mechanics at their best.

15 Battlefield 1's Mechanics Are More Balanced

Battlefield 1 Air Battle
Battlefield 1 via EA
Battlefield 1 Air Battle With Planes And Zeppelin

Battlefield 5 was a game that faced its fair share of issues on launch. However, some people still argue that these issues are still present to a minor extent and negatively impact the gameplay feel.

RELATED: Battlefield 2042: Gadget Tier List

Meanwhile, Battlefield 1 is extremely balanced across the board. There were enough years and time spent in development for the majority of bugs to be ironed out, resulting in a smooth and satisfying experience.

14 Battlefield 1 Is Known For More Historical Accuracy

Battlefield 1

A big part of what makes the Battlefield series so unique is the fact that it always portrays historical events in a way that makes settings appear all the more genuine. This is especially true for Battlefield 1, which uses its World War 1 setting to great effect.

This is also why most people weren't huge fans of Battlefield 5 — in their eyes, the latest game in the Battlefield series seemed to be compromising on historical accuracy a bit too much. However, this wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

13 Battlefield 5 Offers A Fresh And Unique Perspective On Historical Events

The Your Company Customization Menu in Battlefield V

While Battlefield 5 might take some liberties when it comes to its World War II setting, you can't deny that some of these changes do end up making the game feel fresh. After all, World War II has been adapted time and time again in video games, so Battlefield 5's unique spin on its events certainly prevents any monotony from setting in.

It also helps that Battlefield 5 is a more inclusive game than other titles in the series. This is certainly appreciated in a time where intolerance is anything but accepted.

12 Battlefield 1 Is More Polished And Balanced

Battlefield 1's promotional image

When it comes to the debate of Battlefield 5 vs 1, the topic of gameplay is inevitably going to come up at some point or the other. In that regard, Battlefield 1 definitely takes the cake when it comes to the overall polish of the title.

Not only does the game feature better polish, but the mechanics and classes are balanced in a manner that makes each and every playstyle equally efficient in combat. Of course, these improvements are just minor ones over its sequel, so this shouldn't be the foremost reason to opt for Battlefield 1 over 5.

11 Battlefield 5 Features Slightly Better Gunplay

A first person perspective of an explosion in Battlefield V

As would be the case when comparing two first-person shooters, one of the major arguments that govern whether people choose Battlefield 1 or Battlefield 5 is the quality of the gunplay. In this regard, Battlefield 5 has the slimmest of advantages.

This is mainly due to the more modern gameplay innovations present in Battlefield 5. That being said, these improvements aren't so groundbreaking that they completely overshadow Battlefield 1 either.

10 Battlefield 1 Has A World War 1 Theme

A gameplay screenshot from Battlefield 1

As the title of the game suggests, Battlefield 1 centers around the theme of World War 1. That means, all the iconic weapons of this historical landmark and heavily armored fighting vehicles are included in this game.

On top of that, some historical events that took place during WW1 can also be played in this game. One of them is the Battle of Gallipoli between the British Kingdom against the Ottomans, the main focus of 'The Runner' story campaign.

9 Battlefield 5 Has A World War 2 Theme

A soldier pointing a gun in Battlefield V

If you're looking for a World War 2-themed game, then Battlefield 5 should be the one for you. It picks up right what Battlefield 1 left off.

All Battlefield 5 war story campaigns are set between 1940 to 1945, the last, most crucial five years of World War 2, including the infamous Normandy landings (the D-Day).

8 Battlefield 1 Has Better Character Development

A character from the campaign in Battlefield 1

Battlefield 1 features characters from every kind of element from a real-life Australian war hero (Frederick Bishop), the legendary Lawrence of Arabia, to a dirty con-man and self-proclaimed gambler (Clyde Blackburn).

RELATED: Battlefield 2042: Tips And Tricks For Beginners

On the other hand, upon its release, Battlefield 5 met heavy criticism from the fans for its historical inaccuracy. Instead of depicting WW2, the developers sprinkled Battlefield 5 with a fairy tale of non-existent characters.

7 Battlefield 5 Still Has Online Updates

Holding a sniper in Battlefield V

Since its release in 2018, EA and DICE are still supporting Battlefield 5 online mode, at least until last summer when they announced the official summer update. The latest patch of the game includes the brand-new map Al Marj Encampment and the expanded version of Provence.

Unfortunately, the devs also confirmed that this big update is the last. The reason for this was confirmed with the advent of Battlefield 2042, which is shaping up to be a massive and celebrated entry in the series.

6 Battlefield 1 Offers More Steady Gameplay & Better Weaponry

A face-off between two soldiers in Battlefield 1

However, speaking about gameplay, Battlefield 1 should come home with the winning belt for this. Even though they're not as overpowered as Battlefield 5, the weaponry in this game did an excellent job highlighting the key technology of the era.

Speaking about the gameplay, despite being a two-year older game, Battlefield 1's shooting mechanism and steady gameplay are miles ahead of Battlefield 5's buggy mechanics.

5 Battlefield 5 Has A Better Multiplayer Experience

A screenshot of chaotic multiplayer gameplay in Battlefield V

In March 2019, the devs released Fortnite-inspired 'Firestorm' mode, where players are free to team up for a grand battle royale match. Unlike PlayerUnknown Battlegrounds, where any object can serve as your cover, Battlefield 5's 'Firestorm' mode holds no mercy because anything can be destroyed.

Accompanied with such an extensive map, 'Firestorm' is an addictive mode to keep you engaged with the world of Battlefield, at least until the release of the next installment.

4 Battlefield 1 Has Incredible Music

Promotional art for Battlefield 1

To deliver an astonishing, haunting, and grimy world of World War 1, original scores play a significant role in Battlefield 1. It feels more epic and atmospheric; hence the game received two award nominations from The Game Awards 2016 and the 20th D.I.C.E. Awards for its music alone.

RELATED: Battlefield 2042: Things We Want DICE To Include

Even though Battlefield 5's music is just as incredible, Battlefield 1 is something else. Whether you play as Zara Ghufran in the desert of Arabia or Luca Cocchiola in the mud, the game's soundtrack will keep you company as it perfectly builds the tension in the game.

3 Battlefield 5 Has Slightly Better Graphics

Two soldiers in Battlefield V

Being a 2018 game has its perks, and Battlefield 5 personifies this with slightly better environments and graphics compared to its predecessor.

Even though they were developed using the same Frostbite engine, the shading, physicality, AI, and in-depth details are far miles ahead in Battlefield 5. EA and DICE really did push the limits in this aspect, especially showcasing the beautiful aurora borealis during the gameplay.

2 Final Conclusion: Battlefield 1

Battlefield 1's cover art

Here we go with the final conclusion. If you're a history fan who loves World War 1 or even World War 2, then Battlefield 1 is your game. The weaponry system may not be as overpowered as Battlefield 5, but it's far more realistic than the latter game by miles ahead.

With that being said, Battlefield 1 is a perfect reenaction of the global-scale war that took place between 1914 and 1918. Real-life heroes like Lawrence of Arabia and historical events like the Battle of Gallipoli are beautifully depicted in this game.

1 Final Conclusion: Battlefield 5

The cover art for Battlefield V

However, if you're looking for an online experience that may still live up to this date, Battlefield 5 should be your consideration. With the latest major update coming this summer and the massive battle royale mode à la Fortnite, Battlefield V ensures that players get the best online experience possible.

With the release of Battlefield 2042 on the horizon, it is fascinating to see what EA and DICE may offer this time.

MORE: Call Of Duty Or Battlefield: Which Game is Actually Better?